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CNN Sunday Morning

Tenuous Cease-Fire in Fallujah; No Word on Conditions, Whereabouts of Japanese Hostages in Iraq

Aired April 11, 2004 - 07:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: A year later, CNN's Nic Robertson comes back to Iraq. What kind of future is that country facing?
Welcome back, I'm Erica Hill.

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Holly Firfer. Nic Robertson will join us live in a minute.

But first, headlines at this hour. A tenuous cease-fire in Fallujah. Two Marines have been wounded, while negotiators hold meetings in an attempt to end the violence in the embattled city. Sunni militants said they would honor the cease-fire, which began more than five hours ago. The talks in Fallujah are aimed at establishing legitimate rule in the city.

The Japanese government says it has no word on the condition or whereabouts of three Japanese citizens taken hostage last week in Iraq. The kidnappers threatened to kill the three if Japan had not pulled its troops out of Iraq by today.

A U.S. Apache helicopter goes down west of Baghdad, after being hit by small arms fire from the ground. There is no word yet on the condition of the helicopter's two man crew.

One year after the start of the war in Iraq, CNN PRESENTS "Hope and Fear, Journeys in the New Iraq." CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson returns from Iraq to take stock of the U.S. occupation and to introduce us to six people who will play a role in the future of that country.

Here he is with one of them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello.

SUAD ABDULLAH: Hello.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): It's early and I'm calling on Suad Abdullah. Noor, here eldest daughter, lets us in. Already, the day is a rush for Suad. Six kids to get ready for school. And all not going well.

ABDULLAH: They will push the car. ROBERTSON: I decide to help. This time, more luck. The children, all six, pile in. And it's off to school. This could be the morning of a million mothers around the world, but it's not. In the last year, Suad's husband has been killed, her house bombed, her livelihood destroyed. She still wears the widow's veil.

ABDULLAH: This is my house. It was burned and whole damage.

ROBERTSON: She drives me to the place we first met, what used to be her home and veterinary clinic. I first came here in May last year. Taha, her husband, was the first to spot me. Coalition bombs had destroyed this house. And I was doing a story about unexploded ordinance.

TAHA ABDULLAH: I told the America army to remove this.

S. ABDULLAH: We want help to take off this crash and build another house.

ROBERTSON: Back then, they were optimistic about the U.S. led occupation.

But by late July, they were making little progress in their efforts to get compensation from the coalition. Five days later, Taha was dead, gunned down in cold blood in front of Suad and their children. He'd told me he was helping U.S. troops root out bad cops.

For months, Suad was grief stricken. Only now is she picking up the threads of her middle class life, resuming her battle for compensation. But this professional whom Iraq can ill afford to lose is also thinking of emigrating.

S. ABDULLAH: Any road, any street is unsafe now, because maybe here or there may be bombs.

ROBERTSON: But Suad's making one last bid for help from the U.S. military.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the letter's not a problem for us to write a letter confirming that her house and clinic were damaged during the war. That's easy.

ROBERTSON: It's the words she's been waiting to hear. Some good news at last.

S. ABDULLAH: I wish my husband was here in this moment to rebuild back again our lives.

ROBERTSON: But when it comes to making plans to realize Taha's dreams and rebuild the house, it all becomes too much for Suad.

S. ABDULLAH: I just want the first step. I feel -- look like tree without any roots. If get the roots, maybe I can grow up again.

ROBERTSON: Now what are these plants here?

In the farm her family owns next to the ruined clinic, she is putting down roots.

S. ABDULLAH: My husband said to his children anything happen to me or to your mother, don't let down your farm. This is your future.

ROBERTSON: But suddenly, the present intrudes.

There's an explosion over here, look. Do you see it?

S. ABDULLAH: Yes.

ROBERTSON: Someone in the fields nearby fires a missile at a U.S. helicopter.

It's a tough decision now for Suad. She can turn all this chaos with the military are going to give her into a home for her children. But what she's really got to decide is whether Iraq is the right place for them to rebuild their lives.

Back at her temporary house, Suad's children are pleased to have her home. But despite a promising day, Suad seems subdued and unsure.

Not for the first time, a power cut. Despite assurances from the coalition life is getting better.

S. ABDULLAH: They must do something for the families. We receive from them just promises. Nothing yet. And this is the result of their promises.

ROBERTSON: Determination is what got her this far. Self- reliance, a quality much in need here is all that she's counting on now.

S. ABDULLAH: I can't depend upon anyone, but the God, the helping of my God and depend upon myself to draw small future.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: Is the U.S. occupation making progress toward a peaceful democratic Iraq? Or is Iraq now headed toward a civil war? CNN's "Hope and Fear: Journeys in the New Iraq" airs tonight at 8:00 Eastern.

But our correspondent for that program, Nic Robertson, joins us now. He is on assignment in Afghanistan and joins us live from post.

Good to have you with us this morning, Nic.

ROBERTSON: Well, good morning, Erica. And I can tell a little follow-up to Suad. She did tell me in an e-mail a few weeks ago that she has begun to start rebuilding her house. But I remember some of the discussions I had with her. She told me she was very concerned about the power that was rising among the Shi'ia clerics. She was very concerned about the influence of Iran over Iraq. And what's happening in Iraq at this time is very, very likely just the sort of thing we were talking about that she was very worried that might happen. But she is, she told me, beginning to rebuild that house and give her children a chance at a better future, Erica.

HILL: And a great update for you to have for us.

Speaking of Iraq, you mentioned at the end of your piece, you mentioned self reliance and how that was important, something that was in need in Iraq. Is that something that you're seeing more of one year later? Because for so long, these people were ruled and told exactly what to do and how to do it?

ROBERTSON: Well, that's a challenge for everyone in Iraq, to realize what freedom from being out from underneath a dictator's about, to realize what the freedom to have a democracy is about, and to feel empowered to do that. That idea does seem to have taken root more perhaps in the better educated middle class part of the population, but there is still as you can imagine, a tremendous amount of confusion. There are figures emerging, like the -- like Muqtada al-Sadr, people who want to try and dominate and have influence in their areas, within their communities. That, of course, for many members of the community, like Suad, is of a great concern. They don't know really what sort of empowerment they can have, what sort of democracy they can have when figures like that are rising up.

So yes, there is an empowerment, but it's perhaps at this stage really not that widespread. It's very early for people to really understand what democracy and what freedom can do for them. And of course, some people just don't feel they have that yet, Erica.

HILL: Well, hopefully that will come in time. You are, as we mentioned, this morning on assignment in Afghanistan, where there has been a little bit more time to get used to the idea of this actually being a different nation ruled obviously by different people. How are things going at this point in that country?

ROBERTSON: Well, you know, when you walk into Afghanistan after being in Iraq, it feels so much better. You look around the capitol here, Kabul. You can see buildings going up. There's a sense of hope. There's a sense of expectancy. The security in Kabul is very good.

But when you dig a little deeper, there's a lot that isn't happening. There's a lot of promise funding that hasn't come into the country yet. And you look at the other cities around Afghanistan, and the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, who has great control because of international support over Kabul does not have real control in the other cities around the country. There are the formal warlords in power. There are Taliban and al Qaeda elements still attacking on the main highways here sometimes.

The international aid organizations can't work in a lot of areas. And it's all dependent on that issue, security. So in many ways, Afghanistan is much more stable than Iraq is at the moment. In many ways, it's already moving towards that democracy.

But it hasn't taken root around the country. The central government really at this time only controls the capital. And there's still a lot of progress to be made here yet, Erica.

HILL: Nic Robertson, reporting live from post Afghanistan. Thanks for joining us.

And the CNN PRESENTS special, "Hope and Fear: Journeys in the New Iraq" airs tonight at 8:00 Eastern here on CNN.

Tensions in Iraq, concerns about hostages, journalists will be quizzing the U.S. military and administration in Iraq at a briefing just about an hour and a half -- actually just about 45 minutes from now. We're going to bring you that briefing from Baghdad live this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STAFF SGT. CHRIS SHELTON, U.S. ARMY: ...gunfire erupted from all around us. We were in a near ambush.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIRFER: But that was not the worst ambush this U.S. soldier had to face. A "Hero's Story" is coming your way later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HILL: Time now for a look at some of the stories that will be making headlines in the week ahead. The 9/11 Commission begins a new round of public hearings on Tuesday. The hearings are expected to focus on the role the intelligence agencies and law enforcement played in the months leading up to the terrorist attack.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to visit President Bush at the White House. The two are expected to discuss Israel's plan for Gaza and the West Bank.

And then on Thursday, put your pencils down. April 15 and your taxes are due. Many post offices will stay open until the very last minute to accommodate all you procrastinators.

FIRFER: Stories across America now. The Florida Turnpike reopens near Miami a day after smoke from a wildfire caused its closure. 90 homes in the area were under evacuation as the wildfire crept closer to neighborhoods. So far, no structures have been damaged by the 200 acre fire.

How much would you be willing to gamble on one spin of the roulette wheel? One British man is willing to wager everything. Asher Revel cashed out his life savings of about $138,000. Today, he's in Las Vegas where he will let it all ride on just one spin.

A Purple Heart hero comes home from Iraq, but what he finds is a stolen identity and cleaned out bank account. Wait 'til you hear his story, next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HILL: With this week's full of negative news coming at us from the conflict in Iraq, we'd like to take a look at one positive picture from the war. As CNN's Bill Tucker reports, one soldier back home from the war gets a hero's welcome after facing combat and crime.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He doesn't shoot basketball like a hero, but he does do a mean grill. Staff Sergeant Shelton is an Army Ranger. Last June, he was leading a 180-vehicle convoy just north of Baghdad.

STAFF SGT. CHRIS SHELTON, U.S. ARMY: As soon as I took that left, gunfire erupted from all around us. We were in a near ambush. I was hit in the shoulder. I felt my arm go numb a little bit, tingling, a hot sensation in my shoulder. And I wasn't really worried about that. I was worried about getting out of there.

TUCKER: Chris' worse hit, though, wasn't on the battlefield. A soldier staying at Chris's apartment back at his home base in Italy stole his Chris' identity and emptied his bank account of $13,000. The experienced shocked Chris.

What happened next has left him stunned. Back home in Washington state, after hearing of his story from Chris' mom, his hometown started a campaign. It took on a life of its own. And checks came pouring in from all over the world.

SHELTON: This is my time to thank them. All those people that didn't leave a name or an address that I can thank, this is my time to say, thank you, I really appreciate it. It is really nice.

TUCKER: As for being awarded the Purple Heart...

SHELTON: When I got pinned with my Purple Heart, what can I say about that? It's a million-dollar wound. Some of my buddies aren't around to read their citation. So it's one medal that I never wanted, but I did get it.

TUCKER: Sergeant Shelton is eager to report back to his unit.

SHELTON: It might be a hard job sometimes, but, you know, I get to lead men into combat.

TUCKER: Next year, he plans to re-enlist.

Bill Tucker, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: And we'll bring you a "Hero's Stories" every week here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

FIRFER: And at the top of the next hour, we're going to take you live to Baghdad for an update on the situation there. But first, let's switch gears. Did Janet Jackson have another costume malfunction or was it Condoleezza Rice? Find out what we're talking about when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FIRFER: With her album high on the charts, it looks like Janet Jackson is having the last laugh. She's even baring her breasts again, except this time there was no malfunction. Last night, the pop singer appeared on "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE." And in one of her skits, the singer spoofed the Super Bowl half-time incident by poking fun at the testimony of Condoleezza Rice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM KEAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: When you first came into office, you've just been through a very difficult campaign. You walk in and Dick Clarke was talking about al Qaeda should be our number one priority. What did you think and what did you tell the president as you hit that kind of I suppose new information for you?

JANET JACKSON: Live from New York, it's "SATURDAY NIGHT."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FIRFER: Will they stop at nothing?

HILL: They will stop at nothing. I'm sorry I missed it. We, of course, were sleeping. Right, because we were up early, but you know, at least we got to catch up on a little bit of it.

(WEATHER REPORT)

FIRFER: Take a check now of the latest developments out of Iraq. The embattled city of Fallujah today is the scene of an uneasy truce between insurgents and U.S. Marines. Marines have halted their offensive to give insurgents a chance to accept the cease-fire, which an Iraqi official says they did about five hours ago, but there is a report that two Marines were wounded after the cease-fire.

And there's no word yet on the two man crew of a U.S. Army helicopter that went down west of Baghdad. The coalition says the Apache was shot down less than five hours ago.

Well, since the situation in Iraq has heated up, we've been asking you for your e-mails and your thoughts about the conflict in Iraq. And here's a little bit of what we're hearing this morning.

Rosemary in Chappaqua, New York writes, "If we don't overcome the enemies of Iraqi independence today, I am afraid that my children and grandchildren will have to deal with it tomorrow. These anarchists have been festering for a hundred years or more. They respect only their rival's might. I think we can set an example for others."

HILL: And Barry writes, "In hindsight, as cruel as Saddam was reported to be, judging from our new found friends who were waiting to be saved by America & democracy, I am sorry to say we should have left well enough alone."

And please keep your responses and your thoughts coming. The e- mail address again is wam@cnn.com. The next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired April 11, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: A year later, CNN's Nic Robertson comes back to Iraq. What kind of future is that country facing?
Welcome back, I'm Erica Hill.

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Holly Firfer. Nic Robertson will join us live in a minute.

But first, headlines at this hour. A tenuous cease-fire in Fallujah. Two Marines have been wounded, while negotiators hold meetings in an attempt to end the violence in the embattled city. Sunni militants said they would honor the cease-fire, which began more than five hours ago. The talks in Fallujah are aimed at establishing legitimate rule in the city.

The Japanese government says it has no word on the condition or whereabouts of three Japanese citizens taken hostage last week in Iraq. The kidnappers threatened to kill the three if Japan had not pulled its troops out of Iraq by today.

A U.S. Apache helicopter goes down west of Baghdad, after being hit by small arms fire from the ground. There is no word yet on the condition of the helicopter's two man crew.

One year after the start of the war in Iraq, CNN PRESENTS "Hope and Fear, Journeys in the New Iraq." CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson returns from Iraq to take stock of the U.S. occupation and to introduce us to six people who will play a role in the future of that country.

Here he is with one of them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello.

SUAD ABDULLAH: Hello.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): It's early and I'm calling on Suad Abdullah. Noor, here eldest daughter, lets us in. Already, the day is a rush for Suad. Six kids to get ready for school. And all not going well.

ABDULLAH: They will push the car. ROBERTSON: I decide to help. This time, more luck. The children, all six, pile in. And it's off to school. This could be the morning of a million mothers around the world, but it's not. In the last year, Suad's husband has been killed, her house bombed, her livelihood destroyed. She still wears the widow's veil.

ABDULLAH: This is my house. It was burned and whole damage.

ROBERTSON: She drives me to the place we first met, what used to be her home and veterinary clinic. I first came here in May last year. Taha, her husband, was the first to spot me. Coalition bombs had destroyed this house. And I was doing a story about unexploded ordinance.

TAHA ABDULLAH: I told the America army to remove this.

S. ABDULLAH: We want help to take off this crash and build another house.

ROBERTSON: Back then, they were optimistic about the U.S. led occupation.

But by late July, they were making little progress in their efforts to get compensation from the coalition. Five days later, Taha was dead, gunned down in cold blood in front of Suad and their children. He'd told me he was helping U.S. troops root out bad cops.

For months, Suad was grief stricken. Only now is she picking up the threads of her middle class life, resuming her battle for compensation. But this professional whom Iraq can ill afford to lose is also thinking of emigrating.

S. ABDULLAH: Any road, any street is unsafe now, because maybe here or there may be bombs.

ROBERTSON: But Suad's making one last bid for help from the U.S. military.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the letter's not a problem for us to write a letter confirming that her house and clinic were damaged during the war. That's easy.

ROBERTSON: It's the words she's been waiting to hear. Some good news at last.

S. ABDULLAH: I wish my husband was here in this moment to rebuild back again our lives.

ROBERTSON: But when it comes to making plans to realize Taha's dreams and rebuild the house, it all becomes too much for Suad.

S. ABDULLAH: I just want the first step. I feel -- look like tree without any roots. If get the roots, maybe I can grow up again.

ROBERTSON: Now what are these plants here?

In the farm her family owns next to the ruined clinic, she is putting down roots.

S. ABDULLAH: My husband said to his children anything happen to me or to your mother, don't let down your farm. This is your future.

ROBERTSON: But suddenly, the present intrudes.

There's an explosion over here, look. Do you see it?

S. ABDULLAH: Yes.

ROBERTSON: Someone in the fields nearby fires a missile at a U.S. helicopter.

It's a tough decision now for Suad. She can turn all this chaos with the military are going to give her into a home for her children. But what she's really got to decide is whether Iraq is the right place for them to rebuild their lives.

Back at her temporary house, Suad's children are pleased to have her home. But despite a promising day, Suad seems subdued and unsure.

Not for the first time, a power cut. Despite assurances from the coalition life is getting better.

S. ABDULLAH: They must do something for the families. We receive from them just promises. Nothing yet. And this is the result of their promises.

ROBERTSON: Determination is what got her this far. Self- reliance, a quality much in need here is all that she's counting on now.

S. ABDULLAH: I can't depend upon anyone, but the God, the helping of my God and depend upon myself to draw small future.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: Is the U.S. occupation making progress toward a peaceful democratic Iraq? Or is Iraq now headed toward a civil war? CNN's "Hope and Fear: Journeys in the New Iraq" airs tonight at 8:00 Eastern.

But our correspondent for that program, Nic Robertson, joins us now. He is on assignment in Afghanistan and joins us live from post.

Good to have you with us this morning, Nic.

ROBERTSON: Well, good morning, Erica. And I can tell a little follow-up to Suad. She did tell me in an e-mail a few weeks ago that she has begun to start rebuilding her house. But I remember some of the discussions I had with her. She told me she was very concerned about the power that was rising among the Shi'ia clerics. She was very concerned about the influence of Iran over Iraq. And what's happening in Iraq at this time is very, very likely just the sort of thing we were talking about that she was very worried that might happen. But she is, she told me, beginning to rebuild that house and give her children a chance at a better future, Erica.

HILL: And a great update for you to have for us.

Speaking of Iraq, you mentioned at the end of your piece, you mentioned self reliance and how that was important, something that was in need in Iraq. Is that something that you're seeing more of one year later? Because for so long, these people were ruled and told exactly what to do and how to do it?

ROBERTSON: Well, that's a challenge for everyone in Iraq, to realize what freedom from being out from underneath a dictator's about, to realize what the freedom to have a democracy is about, and to feel empowered to do that. That idea does seem to have taken root more perhaps in the better educated middle class part of the population, but there is still as you can imagine, a tremendous amount of confusion. There are figures emerging, like the -- like Muqtada al-Sadr, people who want to try and dominate and have influence in their areas, within their communities. That, of course, for many members of the community, like Suad, is of a great concern. They don't know really what sort of empowerment they can have, what sort of democracy they can have when figures like that are rising up.

So yes, there is an empowerment, but it's perhaps at this stage really not that widespread. It's very early for people to really understand what democracy and what freedom can do for them. And of course, some people just don't feel they have that yet, Erica.

HILL: Well, hopefully that will come in time. You are, as we mentioned, this morning on assignment in Afghanistan, where there has been a little bit more time to get used to the idea of this actually being a different nation ruled obviously by different people. How are things going at this point in that country?

ROBERTSON: Well, you know, when you walk into Afghanistan after being in Iraq, it feels so much better. You look around the capitol here, Kabul. You can see buildings going up. There's a sense of hope. There's a sense of expectancy. The security in Kabul is very good.

But when you dig a little deeper, there's a lot that isn't happening. There's a lot of promise funding that hasn't come into the country yet. And you look at the other cities around Afghanistan, and the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, who has great control because of international support over Kabul does not have real control in the other cities around the country. There are the formal warlords in power. There are Taliban and al Qaeda elements still attacking on the main highways here sometimes.

The international aid organizations can't work in a lot of areas. And it's all dependent on that issue, security. So in many ways, Afghanistan is much more stable than Iraq is at the moment. In many ways, it's already moving towards that democracy.

But it hasn't taken root around the country. The central government really at this time only controls the capital. And there's still a lot of progress to be made here yet, Erica.

HILL: Nic Robertson, reporting live from post Afghanistan. Thanks for joining us.

And the CNN PRESENTS special, "Hope and Fear: Journeys in the New Iraq" airs tonight at 8:00 Eastern here on CNN.

Tensions in Iraq, concerns about hostages, journalists will be quizzing the U.S. military and administration in Iraq at a briefing just about an hour and a half -- actually just about 45 minutes from now. We're going to bring you that briefing from Baghdad live this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STAFF SGT. CHRIS SHELTON, U.S. ARMY: ...gunfire erupted from all around us. We were in a near ambush.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIRFER: But that was not the worst ambush this U.S. soldier had to face. A "Hero's Story" is coming your way later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HILL: Time now for a look at some of the stories that will be making headlines in the week ahead. The 9/11 Commission begins a new round of public hearings on Tuesday. The hearings are expected to focus on the role the intelligence agencies and law enforcement played in the months leading up to the terrorist attack.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to visit President Bush at the White House. The two are expected to discuss Israel's plan for Gaza and the West Bank.

And then on Thursday, put your pencils down. April 15 and your taxes are due. Many post offices will stay open until the very last minute to accommodate all you procrastinators.

FIRFER: Stories across America now. The Florida Turnpike reopens near Miami a day after smoke from a wildfire caused its closure. 90 homes in the area were under evacuation as the wildfire crept closer to neighborhoods. So far, no structures have been damaged by the 200 acre fire.

How much would you be willing to gamble on one spin of the roulette wheel? One British man is willing to wager everything. Asher Revel cashed out his life savings of about $138,000. Today, he's in Las Vegas where he will let it all ride on just one spin.

A Purple Heart hero comes home from Iraq, but what he finds is a stolen identity and cleaned out bank account. Wait 'til you hear his story, next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HILL: With this week's full of negative news coming at us from the conflict in Iraq, we'd like to take a look at one positive picture from the war. As CNN's Bill Tucker reports, one soldier back home from the war gets a hero's welcome after facing combat and crime.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He doesn't shoot basketball like a hero, but he does do a mean grill. Staff Sergeant Shelton is an Army Ranger. Last June, he was leading a 180-vehicle convoy just north of Baghdad.

STAFF SGT. CHRIS SHELTON, U.S. ARMY: As soon as I took that left, gunfire erupted from all around us. We were in a near ambush. I was hit in the shoulder. I felt my arm go numb a little bit, tingling, a hot sensation in my shoulder. And I wasn't really worried about that. I was worried about getting out of there.

TUCKER: Chris' worse hit, though, wasn't on the battlefield. A soldier staying at Chris's apartment back at his home base in Italy stole his Chris' identity and emptied his bank account of $13,000. The experienced shocked Chris.

What happened next has left him stunned. Back home in Washington state, after hearing of his story from Chris' mom, his hometown started a campaign. It took on a life of its own. And checks came pouring in from all over the world.

SHELTON: This is my time to thank them. All those people that didn't leave a name or an address that I can thank, this is my time to say, thank you, I really appreciate it. It is really nice.

TUCKER: As for being awarded the Purple Heart...

SHELTON: When I got pinned with my Purple Heart, what can I say about that? It's a million-dollar wound. Some of my buddies aren't around to read their citation. So it's one medal that I never wanted, but I did get it.

TUCKER: Sergeant Shelton is eager to report back to his unit.

SHELTON: It might be a hard job sometimes, but, you know, I get to lead men into combat.

TUCKER: Next year, he plans to re-enlist.

Bill Tucker, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: And we'll bring you a "Hero's Stories" every week here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

FIRFER: And at the top of the next hour, we're going to take you live to Baghdad for an update on the situation there. But first, let's switch gears. Did Janet Jackson have another costume malfunction or was it Condoleezza Rice? Find out what we're talking about when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FIRFER: With her album high on the charts, it looks like Janet Jackson is having the last laugh. She's even baring her breasts again, except this time there was no malfunction. Last night, the pop singer appeared on "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE." And in one of her skits, the singer spoofed the Super Bowl half-time incident by poking fun at the testimony of Condoleezza Rice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM KEAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: When you first came into office, you've just been through a very difficult campaign. You walk in and Dick Clarke was talking about al Qaeda should be our number one priority. What did you think and what did you tell the president as you hit that kind of I suppose new information for you?

JANET JACKSON: Live from New York, it's "SATURDAY NIGHT."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FIRFER: Will they stop at nothing?

HILL: They will stop at nothing. I'm sorry I missed it. We, of course, were sleeping. Right, because we were up early, but you know, at least we got to catch up on a little bit of it.

(WEATHER REPORT)

FIRFER: Take a check now of the latest developments out of Iraq. The embattled city of Fallujah today is the scene of an uneasy truce between insurgents and U.S. Marines. Marines have halted their offensive to give insurgents a chance to accept the cease-fire, which an Iraqi official says they did about five hours ago, but there is a report that two Marines were wounded after the cease-fire.

And there's no word yet on the two man crew of a U.S. Army helicopter that went down west of Baghdad. The coalition says the Apache was shot down less than five hours ago.

Well, since the situation in Iraq has heated up, we've been asking you for your e-mails and your thoughts about the conflict in Iraq. And here's a little bit of what we're hearing this morning.

Rosemary in Chappaqua, New York writes, "If we don't overcome the enemies of Iraqi independence today, I am afraid that my children and grandchildren will have to deal with it tomorrow. These anarchists have been festering for a hundred years or more. They respect only their rival's might. I think we can set an example for others."

HILL: And Barry writes, "In hindsight, as cruel as Saddam was reported to be, judging from our new found friends who were waiting to be saved by America & democracy, I am sorry to say we should have left well enough alone."

And please keep your responses and your thoughts coming. The e- mail address again is wam@cnn.com. The next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

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